I stared, slack-jawed as Christian held up the old biker jacket he'd retrieved from the bottom drawer of a metal filing cabinet. It was Sunday morning, and after breaking back in to return his motorcycle to the garage, I followed him into the office.

I held my hand over my mouth, stunned at the image staring back at me. I had no doubt I was looking at a reflection of my mother that was at least thirty years old. Below the club name was a skull with horns, wearing a sinister smile. A naked woman, who I knew to be my mother, was draped seductively across the top of the skull, its horns hiding her private areas. The woman had brown hair, big dark eyes, and was wearing a choker with a peace sign.

"She still has that peace choker." My voice was barely a whisper.

"If you had bangs, you'd be a dead ringer. I can't believe you've never seen one of these."

He folded it and returned it to the drawer.

"I can't believe it either," I confessed. "And believe me when I tell you I did some snooping when I was younger. Then again, Bill has done a great job burying Grizz's past, and it's not like either father kept one hanging in the closet."

I would later find out from my mom that my brother Jason had seen the jacket years ago, but had never mentioned it. Still reeling at the discovery of the image that used to terrorize South Florida so many years ago, I wasn't sure what bothered me more. That my sweet and loving mother's likeness had been the living illustration for brutality, or that it didn't bother me as much as it should have.

I silently wrestled with that thought as I followed Christian out the back door and asked him, "Does Axel know how vulnerable his garage is? Maybe your motorcycle is safer parked on the street than in a garage that can be so easily broken in to."

"Nobody messes with Axel's garage. They know better," Christian told me as he opened the truck door and watched me climb in.

Before we'd left our hotel room and exchanged the bike back for his truck, Christian and I had a long phone conversation with his parents, and decided to give a family gathering another try.

We arrived at their house shortly after leaving the garage. and I noticed a motorcycle parked in their driveway. When we got inside I was introduced to Jonas and Lucy Brooks. They seemed like a lovely couple, but as mismatched as a sumo wrestler and a kitten. She was a tall, thin woman with extremely pale skin, and straight brown hair that brushed the top of her shoulders. Her thick glasses couldn't hide the intelligence that shone in her eyes. She barely uttered two words when we were introduced. He was the exact opposite. Huge and boisterous, Jonas Brooks grabbed me and hugged me like he'd known me all my life. He told me that he didn't go by Jonas, and that I should call him Brooks. He reminded me of a Sasquatch. He was gigantic, and had a thick head of brown unruly hair and a beard down the front of his chest. He had some facial tattoos that could best be described as alarming.

"Lucy and Jonas live in Naples and were over here visiting their son, Isaac," Aunt Christy explained. "He moved here a couple of years ago. He's just a little older than Christian." She nodded at Christian and turned to address Lucy. "You need to call Isaac and invite him over here."

"Oh no, Christy," Lucy softly said. "We're not staying. We just dropped in to say a quick hello. Besides, you have good news to celebrate." She nodded toward my left hand, then looked up and gave me a sweet smile. "It's a family affair."

"All of you are family," Aunt Christy said, taking both of Lucy's hands and squeezing tightly.

After a few more minutes of gentle prodding, and Aunt Christy getting nowhere, we waved goodbye as Jonas and Lucy climbed on their Harley and sped off, the loud pipes reverberating off the asphalt.

"They seem like a lovely couple," I commented as I followed Christian and his parents back into their home. "I guess they're bikers?"

"Oh yeah," Aunt Christy laughed as she signaled me to follow her into the kitchen. "And you'd never guess it, right? She's a distinguished scientist with the CDC."

"Really?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

"She cures diseases for a living, and he owns a bait shop. Isaac is good friends with Christian. I guess you haven’t had a chance to meet him yet?”

Shaking my head I told her, "No. Pretty sure I haven't met someone named Isaac." I cocked my head to the side and said, "For such an odd couple, they sure seem happy."

Aunt Christy reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a bowl. Setting it on the counter, she said, "They are, but they got off to a rocky start."

"How so?"

"It's a long story, and as you can probably imagine, she resisted him at first." She paused and blew out a breath while pouring ingredients into the bowl. "Jonas used to ride with Anthony's crew. He was with us one time when I ran into Lucy at a restaurant." She shot me a quick glance and said, "I went to high school with her and her twin brother, Lenny. I hadn't known then that Jonas already knew Lucy, but she didn't remember him." She swiped her arm across her forehead before continuing. "Apparently she'd made an impression on him. He did what Christian did to you. Abducted her. He tricked Lucy and took her to a cabin in the Everglades. No plumbing and no electricity." Aunt Christy shuddered. "For weeks. It might've even been a month."

"Oh no!" I interrupted. "Did he? Did he?" I couldn't find my voice.

"Rape her? Torture her?" she asked.

I could only nod.

She gave me a long, slow smile. "No. He didn't do either of those things."

My eyes widened as I waited in anticipation to hear what Jonas Brooks could have possibly done to that sweet, mild-mannered woman.

"He kept her only long enough for her to teach him how to read."

I could've been knocked over with a feather.

Aunt Christy didn't elaborate further so I began to share the details about Christian's secret visit to the jeweler yesterday morning. A few moments later we heard voices coming from the great room.

"That must be Slade," Aunt Christy stated. "Listen, Daisy has Abby out back." She nodded toward the tall glass windows in the breakfast nook. I peered closer and could see the two girls sitting in a huge sandbox. Daisy was obviously too big for a sandbox, but I could see she was thoroughly enjoying keeping her niece entertained. As if reading my thoughts, Aunt Christy added, "Daisy is Abby's favorite person in the whole world. I was hoping maybe you could go out back and try and start over with Abby before Daisy brings her inside?"

She didn't need to ask me twice. I found my way to the glass doors, and before heading out turned and asked, “So, do you think you’ll set up a hen house?”

“A what?” she asked as she dried her hands on a dishtowel.

“My father showed you our hen house. Are you still thinking about getting some birds?”

“Oh.” She laughed. “No. I don’t think they’re my cup of tea.”

After shutting the door behind me, I cautiously headed toward the girls. Daisy immediately jumped up and came at me for a hug. "I'm sorry you didn't get to see my photo album yesterday.” I hugged her and noticed Abby watching us.

“I am too,” I answered sincerely.

“Listen, Daisy,” I whispered. “Do you think you can introduce me to Abby before we go inside? I’m afraid I didn’t make a very good impression yesterday.”

“Mom told me Slade started it. It wasn’t your fault, Mimi. It wasn’t Chrissy’s either.”

“Chrissy?” I asked. “You mean Christian?”

“Yeah, Christian,” she answered with a mischievous smile.

An introduction to Abby wasn’t necessary because she'd wandered over to us. She was grinning, trying to hand me a shovel.

I squatted so I was eye level with her. “Do you want me to dig with you?”

She looked at Daisy who gave her a smiling nod. Abby took my hand and led me back to her sandbox, where I sat and played with her while Daisy perched on the edge.

Abby babbled while I chatted with Daisy, and before too long something occurred to me. It was obvious that Abby trusted me because Daisy did. Could it be something so simple? I dared to hope.

“Daisy, do you know where Christian’s been for the past three years?”

“I’m twelve, Mimi, not two,” she said with a smirk.

“Of course,” I told her. “I’m sorry. I still remember you when you were six. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around you being a teenager soon.” I scooped a shovelful of sand in the bucket. “Did you ever visit him there?”

“A couple of times. Mom took me, but I cried for days afterward. It made me too sad to see Chrissy in jail.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“I understand. I wouldn’t want to see him there either.” I hoped I never have to.

“Has he visited here a lot since he’s been out?” I swirled my finger in the sand.

“Not really. Mom told me that he stopped coming because it upset Abby so much.”

“Did Christian visit when you were here with Abby?” I asked, my heart getting optimistic.

She slowly shook her head. “I think he only came by a few times when I was at school.” Her eyes got wide with excitement when she added, “He did pick me up at the bus stop twice to take me to McDonald’s.” She rolled her eyes. “My girlfriends all crush on him. It’s gross!” She made a face like she was gagging.

I choked back a laugh. “And when he dropped you at home?”

“He didn’t. Both times, Daddy met us and brought me home.”

“So, what I’m hearing is that Abby hasn’t seen you with your brother?”

She shook her head slowly. “No. I guess not.”

“Daisy, I have an idea. Do you mind doing a little experiment with me?”

After stomping off all the sand, the three of us found Aunt Christy in the kitchen. Abby ran to her grandmother who picked her up and held her over the sink so she could wash her hands. I explained our plan, and I could see the light of hope in Aunt Christy’s eyes.

The idea was for me and Aunt Christy to lead Abby into the living room where Daisy would be hugging on her brother.

“Do it up good, Daisy,” her mother prodded.

“I know how to love on Chrissy,” she replied with a roll of her eyes as she left the room.

I peeked around the dining room wall and saw Uncle Anthony sitting in a chair absorbed in something on his phone. A petite and attractive brunette was sitting on the edge of the couch, smiling up at Daisy who was clinging to Christian. Daisy had her arms wrapped around his waist while he stood talking to Slade. I noticed that Christian affectionately rubbed his hand up and down Daisy’s side while she clung to him. Slade was standing to Christian’s right, nodding at something Christian was saying. It was obvious they’d buried the hatchet during the time I’d spent out back with the girls. I was relieved.

“Who’s the woman?” I quietly asked Aunt Christy.

“Her name’s Erin,” she whispered back as we walked toward the living room, with Abby between us and tightly holding our hands. "We've never met her before."

We hadn’t been noticed yet, but we both smiled triumphantly at each other over Abby’s head as we watched her eyeing Daisy. She seemed startled at first to see Daisy hugging on Christian, but she looked more confused than upset.

Erin stood when she noticed us. Introductions were made and Abby still hadn’t moved toward Daisy or Christian, but she also hadn’t cried or run away. It was a start.

“Are you Slade’s girlfriend?” Daisy innocently asked, a little too loudly.

“Uh, no,” Erin started to say.

“She’s a close friend,” Slade interjected. He looked uncomfortable with the admission and stammered. “She’s more than a friend, really.”

We watched Erin shake her head and smile. “We’re very good friends. That’s all.”

The highlights in her bobbed hair shimmered, and her freckled nose crinkled when she smiled. I immediately realized what was going on. They were sleeping together, and Slade was being a gentleman. He didn’t want his family to think he’d brought his side piece. An older one at that. Instinct told me Erin wasn’t trampy. I smiled warmly and extended my right hand, still clutching Abby’s with my left.

I made small talk with Erin and Aunt Christy, while Christian shared some of our future plans with Slade. Daisy continued to hug Christian's side while trying to get Abby to walk toward her. Even though I was listening to Erin and Aunt Christy, I kept glancing down at Abby for her reaction. She looked hesitant, but not afraid.

"I think this is going to work," I whispered toward Aunt Christy, my heart hopeful.

I’d spoken too soon.

Aunt Christy had asked Erin how long her and Slade had been friends and wanted to know if there was any chance they were more than that. I tried not to smile. It was so obvious Aunt Christy was digging for information on Slade's love life, I was almost embarrassed for him.

Erin's face grew serious, and she leaned toward us so the men wouldn't hear her.

"We really are just friends. I'm his emotional support right now while he tries to mend a broken heart.”

Unfortunately, Christian had kept an ear tuned to our conversation, and assumed the worst. He thought that Slade's outburst the day before wasn't because of the reasons we'd originally assumed.

The little bit of progress we thought we'd made with Abby immediately dissolved when Christian grabbed Slade by the collar of his shirt, and angrily accused him of harboring feelings for me.

We were back to square one.

“I can’t understand why you would think Slade had feelings for me.” I blew out an exasperated breath. “It looked like we were making progress with Abby.”

We were driving back to our hotel, and I was grateful that the day had been salvaged, but frustrated that we’d have to start over with Abby. She still wouldn’t go near Christian, but continued to keep a curious eye on Daisy who’d made it a point to show her brother even more affection, especially after he’d grabbed Slade. At least there was a chance.

He shrugged nonchalantly and said, “I heard that woman…”

“Erin,” I interrupted.

“Whatever,” he said. “I heard Erin say she was only there to help him get over a broken heart. It made me think that his outburst yesterday had more to do with you than me getting away with all my shit.”

I sighed, exasperatedly. “I’m glad it didn’t go any further than you grabbing him. And he handled it better than I would’ve expected. Especially with such an embarrassing admission. I know Erin never intended for anyone other than me and your mother to hear her comment. She seems like she cares about him.”

Ignoring my observation, Christian glanced over at me. “I told you before, Mimi. I’m hotheaded. Some would even say a monster.”

I reached for his hand and said to his profile, “I know what a monster is, Christian. You don’t even come close.”

“I hope I don’t prove you wrong, baby.”

“It doesn’t matter if you do,” I told him.

“You’re not what I expected, Mimi.” "Street of Dreams" by Rainbow was playing on the radio and he pulled his hand away from mine to turn it down.

“How so?” I blew at a lock of hair that had fallen from my ponytail into my face.

“You’re not as much of a goody two-shoes as I originally thought. It wouldn’t matter to me anyway. It’s just the background check the P.I. did on you didn’t bring up any flags that would make me think you were anything other than a straight-laced honor student.”

I could understand his comment. “I’m not a party girl, I take my classes seriously, and I’ve purposely stayed away from anything that could’ve brought unwanted attention to me or my family. And let’s not forget I was dating a criminal justice major.” Yeah, I could see why he thought that. “I don’t know,” I admitted while turning my head away and looking out the passenger window. “Maybe I was too careful because of Grizz.” When Christian didn’t reply I added, “I didn’t want to do anything that would bring notice to myself and potentially bring notice to him.” I glanced at him. “But I guess I always felt like I missed out somewhat. I feel so free with you, Christian. I feel like I can be myself.”

“I wouldn’t want you to be anything else, Mimi.”

I reached to turn up the radio when his next question stunned me.

“Do you like Grizz?”

“Why would you ask me that?” I was incredulous.

“You seem to enjoy challenging him.” He raised his eyebrows as he drove. “I still wonder if you would’ve asked Micah to secretly marry us if your mother hadn’t told you Grizz would’ve forbidden it.”

“Oh, that!” I huffed. “Yeah, I like Grizz. I love him. But I guess there’s something in me that doesn’t like seeing him get his way all the time.” I pondered for a moment. “I guess it’s no better than Slade being ticked that you abducted me and got away with it.”

He laughed. “It does seem that way.” He turned thoughtful when he asked, “Do you think Grizz was mad that you had Micah perform a ceremony at Rachelle's house?”

“Yeah, he told me he was,” I admitted. “But when he was talking to me, I knew he was making an effort to not let it show. I recognized what was simmering behind his eyes. But he held it back.”

“Why do you think he held back?”

“Because he thinks he owes me, and as weird as it sounds, this is his way of paying me back.” I looked over at him. “By giving you—us—a chance.”

“And he won’t tell your mother what you did? What you asked Micah to do?” Christian cussed under his breath when he caught a red light.

I nodded. “I asked him not to, and I think he’ll honor my request.”

“Request? Or test?”

“It might be a test,” I confessed somewhat sheepishly.

He shook his head with a smile. “My Dreamy Mimi is a tough chick. I mean, c’mon, the man gave the cemeteries in South Florida more business than they needed, and here you are challenging and testing him.”

“Does that bother you?” I teased.

“Bother me? Nope,” he said, pulling into the hotel parking lot. “It gives me a raging boner.”